Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-04

ocratic party always; that the term
'sumptuery legislation" had been under
stood by the parties, by the political
leaders and by the people as referring
specially to the prohibition of liquor
selling, ETC.; that the Democratic plat
form of 1884 and Cleyeland's letter of &C
ceptance so considered the term, and
that in Texas we boasted during the last
presidential campaign that the Demo-
cratic party had declared itself, as had its
candidate against, its prohibition, and
drew comparison on that subject be-
tween our platform and Cleveland's letter
and the silence of the Republican plat
torn and of Mr.. Blaine.
| Outside of the political aspect, I called
attention to the necessity which would
Srise for raising revenue to supply
the deficit, in case prohibition should be
adopted, by taxing the people in other
ways, and suggested in this connection
| that some of the people of the state had
called on Congress for aid for the drouth
stricken district; that the Legislature had
appropriated large sum for the same
purpose and had passed bill, vetoed by
Governor Ross, TO postpone the forced
collection of taxes; and l added that the
state could not even by constitutional
amendment prevent the importation and
! sale of liquors in bulk lin the original
| packages) by the importer. There is
much more in the letter but this is the
substance. Yours truly, W. Il. GRAIN.
BAsTROP, TEX, April ~, 1887.
Messrs. Barnett Gibbs, R. H. Harrison, w. B.
Page, Walter Gresham and j. IL. Copeland,
Dallas.
| GENTLEMEN-YOur communication of
the 4th inst. respecting the convention to
be held at Dallas on the I'd proximo for
the purpose of organizing the opposition
to the prohibition amendment has been
J received.
The convention will be one of exceeding
| Importance, and l trust that its delibera-
tiOns and conclusions will be of so wise
and conservative a character as to chal-
lenge ard to receive the favorable con
| sideratiOn Of all classes and conditions
throughout the state.
| Through the action Of the Democratic
state convention, last held, the question
has been made non-partisan, so far as
| political organizations are concerned, and
it stands before the people in an eX-
clusiyely social and economical attitude.
1t is too late, at this date, to discuss or
to impeach the wisdom of such act on.
Suffice IT to say, the departure was then
and there taken--nO one, as l an
informed, Objecting-and a Democratic
Legislature has acted upon the line as
defined by the highest authority known to
the party.
The pending canvass, it seems to me,
should be conducted along the same
course and in such a manner as to eX-
clude every issue that may not be strictly
pertinent to the one in hand.
A different method will inevitably in
| troduce discussions into the party, and
will surely endsnger it's supremacy in
the state. I take it, therefore, that
the Democracy of no one will
become a subject of unfavorable
criticism because of his posi-
ton with reference to the ques-
ton, and that each individual will enjoy,
in this matter, the utmost freedom of
action, untrammeled by mis- political
affiliations.
Such was evidently the intention of our
last state convention in its unanimous
adoption of the clause of the platform re-
lating to prohibition. As it will not be
at all convenient for me to attend the con-
yention,I avail myself of this opportunity
! to define my position upon this matter
! of great public concern; and do it with
much diffidence and after careful refec-
ton, not only upon the subject itself, but
| also upon all which it involves.
| cannot think that it would be wise
| to ratify the amendment. To do so
would be to fasten upon the state q policy
that could be changed only after a severe
and long protraCted struggle.
The rigidity of our constitution
is felt in every department of legislation,
and there is wanting that flexibility which
is so essential to the we'll being of q state
whose domain is so large and whose in
terests are so diversified as those of
Texas.
Alteration of organic law-however de-
sirable and necessary-is always attended
with extreme difficulty, so much so as to
be scarcely possible. Prohibition, if left
to voluntary legislative enactment, could
be made as effectual as if engrafted upon
the constitution.
Why, then, pursue the mode presented?
Has prohibition been so entirely sucCesss
full end satisfactory elsewhere that tn e
people of Texas should commit them
selves-almostir revocably-to the policy?
When else has it been attempted upon so
large a scale, and in what state of such
extensive domain, and amongst what
people possessing so many different ele-
ments of character?
We are but in our infancy. Our popu-
lation is yet Heterogeneous, and it's annual
increase is drawn not only from every
state in the union, but also from many
of the nations of Europe. The differenr
sections scarcely know one another, and
we find orr nOlitiCal conventions Our leo
islatures, our religious assemblies and
our moral and charitable societies often
dividing upon sectional grounds. This
should not be. 1t foreshadows greater,
more important and more permanent dis
sepsions in the future unless liberalitY of
feeling and of action is displayed in refer
L.